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HKU council controversy
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The election of the postgraduate student representative is to be held online from October 19. Students have been informed that two candidates, mainlander Zhu Ke (above) and Mak Wing-man, are nominated. Photo: HKU

Unease as two key University of Hong Kong bodies undergo reshuffle

Local and mainland hopefuls clash in poll criticised for lack of transparency

The governing bodies of the University of Hong Kong are undergoing a reshuffle, with a mainland student and a local one battling for a seat on its ruling council, while five seats for lawmakers in its supervisory court are up for election this month.

Those changes are only the beginning as all eyes are on who the government will appoint as chairman of the council - a post now at the centre of a political controversy - when the term of incumbent Leong Che-hung expires on November 16.

READ MORE: Did HKU council consider the bigger picture?

The election of the postgraduate student representative is to be held online from October 19. Students have been informed that two candidates, mainlander Zhu Ke and Mak Wing-man, are nominated.

Zhu, president of the Postgraduate Student Association, declined to talk to the about his platform and views on recent council decisions before the nomination withdrawal period ends today. The other candidate could not be reached.

Johnson Yeung Ching-yin, a master's student in human rights law, said he was concerned about the lack of transparency of the election in the wake of the controversy over Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun. The council last month voted to reject the liberal scholar's candidacy for a key managerial post, a move seen by some as politically motivated.

READ MORE: What does academic freedom mean to Johannes Chan and his supporters?

"The council has become politicised and the student's seat is important," Yeung said. "But the university is not organising any forums for candidates to introduce their platforms and take questions. How do I vote?"

An HKU spokesman said candidates were invited to provide information about themselves but it was up to them to decide whether to organise consultation sessions for voters.

READ MORE: 2,000 HKU students and staff join protest march

Meanwhile, the Legislative Council's House Committee will today discuss election arrangements for the five seats in the 60-member HKU court dedicated to lawmakers. The court is the supreme advisory body. At present, three seats are held by the pro-government camp and two by pan-democrats.

Paul Tse Wai-chun, a pro-establishment member of the court, said the camp had not held discussions on whether they should grab more of the five seats this year, but he believed the balance would remain the same.

"After all, the court is less powerful than the council," Tse said. "I expect questions would be raised about Chan's appointment at the year-end meeting, but I don't think there will be chance for a meaningful debate or a vote."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Students in low-key bid for HKU council seat
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